Overview

A Study of Malignant Narcissism offers a unique insight into malignant narcissism, exploring both its personal and professional aspects and constructing a theoretical framework that renders its origins and manifestations more accessible. With reference to his own family dynamic and to 45 years of professional experience, Richard Wood explores the psychology of malignant narcissism, positing it as a defence against love. The book first offers an overview of existing literature before examining relevant clinical material, including an analysis of Wood’s relationships with his own parents. Wood presents vignettes illustrating the core dynamics that drive narcissism, illustrated with sections of his father’s unpublished autobiography and with his patient work. The book makes the case for malignant narcissism to be considered a subtype of psychopathy and puts forth a framework setting out the key dynamics that typify these individuals, including consideration of the ways in which malignant narcissism replicates itself in varied forms. Finally, Wood examines the impact of narcissistic leadership and compares his theoretical position with those of other clinicians. This book will be of interest to clinical psychologists, psychoanalysts, and psychotherapists, as well as all professionals working with narcissistic patients.

Full Product Details

Author:   Richard Wood (Psychologist in Private Practice, Canada)
Publisher:   Taylor & Francis Ltd
Imprint:   Routledge
Weight:   0.720kg
ISBN:  

9781032160597

ISBN 10:   1032160594
Pages:   228
Publication Date:   28 July 2022
Audience:   College/higher education ,  Professional and scholarly ,  Tertiary & Higher Education ,  Professional & Vocational
Format:   Paperback
Publisher's Status:   Active
Availability:   In Print  
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Table of Contents

1. Establishing An Attitude of Skepticism, 2. Literature Review of Malignant Narcissism and Related Constructs, 3. Mother, 4. The Face of Narcissism - Father (Foundational Ideas), 5. The Face of Narcissism - Father (The Nature of Relationships), 6. The Face of Narcissism - Father (There can only be one God), 7. The Dark Side - Father (Cruelty), 8. The Cost of Narcissism - Clinical Depression and complex Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, 9. Origins of Narcissism - My Father's Autobiographies, 10. The Case for Narcissism as Psychopathy, 11. Formulation of Narcissism, 12. Legacies of Narcissism - Impact on the Psyche, 13. Legacies of Narcissism - Malignant Narcissistic Leadership and the State as a Narcissistic Entity, 14. Reflections

Reviews

'A Study of Malignant Narcissism is an essential contribution to the growing literature on dangerous personalities and the destruction they cause. Courageous, searingly honest, and deeply moving, Richard Wood uses his tools as a clinical psychologist to mine his experience growing up with an abusive narcissistic father with intelligence, insight and compassion. A rare combination of compelling biography and crucial work of science, this is essential reading for our disordered times. An invaluable work of wisdom and experience.' Ian Hughes, 'This fine book offers a marvelous combination of often hair-raising raw experience with thoughtful, illuminating reflection and insightful commentary. Raised by two idiosyncratic, troubled, in some ways successful parents, the author struggled as a child to comprehend himself and them. This endeavour evolved into a lifelong pursuit that included becoming a clinical psychologist, a profession he has practised at a high level for decades. Dr. Wood throws much needed light on character formation and function, defensive deformation of personality, and other important topics, like mental health, mental illness, and resilience. He raises stimulating questions that merit careful contemplation. Sharing very personal, challenging experiences from the overheated crucible of his chronically emotionally stressed nuclear family, he provides an inspiring, liberating model of courageous struggle and self-disclosure. Dr. Wood also ventures fruitfully into larger social realms: school, work, nation, and the wider world. Transiting smoothly between individual and social psychology, in mutually informative ways, he provides a well-timed, thought-provoking discussion of our fondness for malignant narcissistic leaders, including reflections on what we need to do if we wish to inoculate ourselves against such fatal attractions. I recommend this labour of love not only to mental health professionals and researchers but also and very much to all others interested in understanding themselves, their loved ones, and their socio- cultural and political milieu. This is a courageous, timely, well-written, important book.' Dr Brent Willock, clinical psychologist and Founding President of the Toronto Institute for Contemporary Psychoanalysis, Canada 'This is a courageous account of growing up in the shadow of a malignantly narcissistic father. Richard Wood gives us an exquisite account of the consequences for the development of a sense of self under such circumstances. It is to the author's credit that he was able to avoid the kind of psychopathology that can develop under conditions that constitute a totalitarian environment. The risk of the development of a self that does not value others was avoided. The author makes it clear that there were times when he came close to echoing his father's devaluation of the lives of others who did not share his ideals. It is to his credit that he chose the route of thinking as opposed to mindless idealization. Wood draws parallels between his father's pathology and the minds of authoritarian leaders and also proposes psychopathy as a variant of Narcissistic Personality Disorder. This is a book that can be read by any serious reader, but it also belongs to the bookshelf of any student or practitioner of psychotherapy. It is written from a psychoanalytic perspective, but the clinical material crosses theoretical boundaries and can be informative in any serious psychotherapeutic endeavor.' Dr Ray Freebury, training and supervising psychoanalyst of the Canadian Psychoanalytic Society, a past president of the Canadian Psychoanalytic Society, a distinguished life member of the American Psychiatric Association and an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Toronto (retired), Canada 'This is an absorbing, yet disturbing account of what it is like for a child to be raised by a psychopathic father and an emotionally troubled mother. Dr. Wood courageously reveals his own personal experience and expands upon this with observations made during his many years of practice as a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist. With superb prose, he provides a scholarly and informative description of the characteristics and behaviors of individuals with narcissistic personalities, and the impact on their families and others. For anyone wanting to learn about psychopathy and malignant narcissism, and how the knowledge might apply to autocratic leaders, this is the book to read. I also highly recommend the book to mental health care professionals who seek a detailed description of this type of personality disorder.' Graeme J. Taylor, MD, FRCPC, Professor emeritus, University of Toronto, Canada, a Psychoanalytic Fellow of The American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry, an emeritus faculty member of The Institute for Contemporary Psychoanalysis, a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and an Associate Member of the American College of Psychoanalysis. 'A Study of Malignant Narcissism is not for sissies. It reminds this reader of the title of one of Leonard Cohen's last albums You Want it Darker. It is a courageously compelling and important in-depth exploration of malignant narcissism from a tripartite perspective-the personal, the professional and the political. The language is stark, dark, vivid and evocative. Dr. Wood does something rare for an experienced practicing psychologist. He begins his exploration by sharing what his own life was like growing up with a malignantly narcissistic father and a mentally frail mother. He shares the impact of his father on his own psyche and sense of self and his lifelong journey of recovery from the effects of such a challenging and dark childhood. He speculates in great depth how his father's own childhood may have shaped the father he became, and the internal personal demons with which he might have wrestled. From the personal he moves to the professional and shares his experience working both with patients who have been impacted by a narcissistic parent (and how they have coped with a narcissistic surround ), and with those who meet the diagnostic criteria for narcissism. Writing from a psychoanalytic view, he constructs a gripping exploration of an imagined inner life of a malignant narcissist. The picture is not a pretty one. It is an almost visceral experience. He describes the impenetrable self-protective wall the narcissist builds using lying, bullying, shaming, vindictiveness, and sadism. The reader can almost feel the terrible effect of the malignant narcissist on others. Finally, the author envisions the malignant narcissistic leader. Using a war metaphor, he describes how this leader operates and their seductiveness and persuasiveness in frightening and anxiety producing times. He describes the way in which this leader evokes fear and compliance in others and how this fear motivates them in response. It is quite an examination of humanity in its darkest forms.' Susan Andresen, Ed.D., former Program Director for the Human Services Technology Program, Darton College, Canada 'Richard Wood's book is a masterpiece on the subject of Narcissism. From the riveting revelations of his personal exposure to its most pernicious elements as a child growing up through to his ultimate victory in overcoming its worst effects, you will most certainly be enlightened, and perhaps even frightened, by his deeply insightful explication of the dynamics of this pervasive psychological phenomenon. His analysis is compelling, comprehensive and profoundly empathic. He didn't settle for victimhood but rather emerged from twisted parenting to become a healer and highly respected clinical psychologist.' Timothy Gilmor, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, Gilmor Associates, Toronto, Canada

'A Study of Malignant Narcissism is an essential contribution to the growing literature on dangerous personalities and the destruction they cause. Courageous, searingly honest, and deeply moving, Richard Wood uses his tools as a clinical psychologist to mine his experience growing up with an abusive narcissistic father with intelligence, insight and compassion. A rare combination of compelling biography and crucial work of science, this is essential reading for our disordered times. An invaluable work of wisdom and experience.' Ian Hughes, 'This fine book offers a marvelous combination of often hair-raising raw experience with thoughtful, illuminating reflection and insightful commentary. Raised by two idiosyncratic, troubled, in some ways successful parents, the author struggled as a child to comprehend himself and them. This endeavour evolved into a lifelong pursuit that included becoming a clinical psychologist, a profession he has practised at a high level for decades. Dr. Wood throws much needed light on character formation and function, defensive deformation of personality, and other important topics, like mental health, mental illness, and resilience. He raises stimulating questions that merit careful contemplation. Sharing very personal, challenging experiences from the overheated crucible of his chronically emotionally stressed nuclear family, he provides an inspiring, liberating model of courageous struggle and self-disclosure. Dr. Wood also ventures fruitfully into larger social realms: school, work, nation, and the wider world. Transiting smoothly between individual and social psychology, in mutually informative ways, he provides a well-timed, thought-provoking discussion of our fondness for malignant narcissistic leaders, including reflections on what we need to do if we wish to inoculate ourselves against such fatal attractions. I recommend this labour of love not only to mental health professionals and researchers but also and very much to all others interested in understanding themselves, their loved ones, and their socio- cultural and political milieu. This is a courageous, timely, well-written, important book.' Dr Brent Willock, clinical psychologist and Founding President of the Toronto Institute for Contemporary Psychoanalysis, Canada 'This is a courageous account of growing up in the shadow of a malignantly narcissistic father. Richard Wood gives us an exquisite account of the consequences for the development of a sense of self under such circumstances. It is to the author's credit that he was able to avoid the kind of psychopathology that can develop under conditions that constitute a totalitarian environment. The risk of the development of a self that does not value others was avoided. The author makes it clear that there were times when he came close to echoing his father's devaluation of the lives of others who did not share his ideals. It is to his credit that he chose the route of thinking as opposed to mindless idealization. Wood draws parallels between his father's pathology and the minds of authoritarian leaders and also proposes psychopathy as a variant of Narcissistic Personality Disorder. This is a book that can be read by any serious reader, but it also belongs to the bookshelf of any student or practitioner of psychotherapy. It is written from a psychoanalytic perspective, but the clinical material crosses theoretical boundaries and can be informative in any serious psychotherapeutic endeavor.' Dr Ray Freebury, training and supervising psychoanalyst of the Canadian Psychoanalytic Society, a past president of the Canadian Psychoanalytic Society, a distinguished life member of the American Psychiatric Association and an associate professor of psychiatry at the University of Toronto (retired), Canada 'This is an absorbing, yet disturbing account of what it is like for a child to be raised by a psychopathic father and an emotionally troubled mother. Dr. Wood courageously reveals his own personal experience and expands upon this with observations made during his many years of practice as a clinical psychologist and psychotherapist. With superb prose, he provides a scholarly and informative description of the characteristics and behaviors of individuals with narcissistic personalities, and the impact on their families and others. For anyone wanting to learn about psychopathy and malignant narcissism, and how the knowledge might apply to autocratic leaders, this is the book to read. I also highly recommend the book to mental health care professionals who seek a detailed description of this type of personality disorder.' Graeme J. Taylor, MD, FRCPC, Professor emeritus, University of Toronto, Canada, a Psychoanalytic Fellow of The American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry, an emeritus faculty member of The Institute for Contemporary Psychoanalysis, a Distinguished Life Fellow of the American Psychiatric Association and an Associate Member of the American College of Psychoanalysis. 'A Study of Malignant Narcissism is not for sissies. It reminds this reader of the title of one of Leonard Cohen's last albums You Want it Darker. It is a courageously compelling and important in-depth exploration of malignant narcissism from a tripartite perspective-the personal, the professional and the political. The language is stark, dark, vivid and evocative. Dr. Wood does something rare for an experienced practicing psychologist. He begins his exploration by sharing what his own life was like growing up with a malignantly narcissistic father and a mentally frail mother. He shares the impact of his father on his own psyche and sense of self and his lifelong journey of recovery from the effects of such a challenging and dark childhood. He speculates in great depth how his father's own childhood may have shaped the father he became, and the internal personal demons with which he might have wrestled. From the personal he moves to the professional and shares his experience working both with patients who have been impacted by a narcissistic parent (and how they have coped with a narcissistic surround ), and with those who meet the diagnostic criteria for narcissism. Writing from a psychoanalytic view, he constructs a gripping exploration of an imagined inner life of a malignant narcissist. The picture is not a pretty one. It is an almost visceral experience. He describes the impenetrable self-protective wall the narcissist builds using lying, bullying, shaming, vindictiveness, and sadism. The reader can almost feel the terrible effect of the malignant narcissist on others. Finally, the author envisions the malignant narcissistic leader. Using a war metaphor, he describes how this leader operates and their seductiveness and persuasiveness in frightening and anxiety producing times. He describes the way in which this leader evokes fear and compliance in others and how this fear motivates them in response. It is quite an examination of humanity in its darkest forms.' Susan Andresen, Ed.D., former Program Director for the Human Services Technology Program, Darton College, Canada 'Richard Wood's book is a masterpiece on the subject of Narcissism. From the riveting revelations of his personal exposure to its most pernicious elements as a child growing up through to his ultimate victory in overcoming its worst effects, you will most certainly be enlightened, and perhaps even frightened, by his deeply insightful explication of the dynamics of this pervasive psychological phenomenon. His analysis is compelling, comprehensive and profoundly empathic. He didn't settle for victimhood but rather emerged from twisted parenting to become a healer and highly respected clinical psychologist.' Timothy Gilmor, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist, Gilmor Associates, Toronto, Canada

"‘A Study of Malignant Narcissism is an essential contribution to the growing literature on dangerous personalities and the destruction they cause. Courageous, searingly honest, and deeply moving … A rare combination of compelling biography and crucial work of science, this is essential reading for our disordered times. An invaluable work of wisdom and experience.’ Ian Hughes, Senior Research Fellow, MaREI Centre at University College Cork, Ireland ‘This fine book offers a marvellous combination of often hair-raising raw experience with thoughtful, illuminating reflection and insightful commentary. Dr Wood throws much needed light on character formation and function, defensive deformation of personality, … and resilience. This is a courageous, timely, well written, important book.’ Dr Brent Willock, Founding President of the Toronto Institute for Contemporary Analysis, Canada ‘With superb prose, Dr. Wood provides a scholarly and informative description of the characteristics and behaviors of individuals with narcissistic personalities … For anyone wanting to learn about psychopathy and malignant narcissism, and how this knowledge might apply to autocratic leaders, this is the book to read.’ Graeme J. Taylor, MD, FRCPC, Psychoanalytic Fellow of the American Academy of Psychoanalysis and Dynamic Psychiatry and Professor University of Toronto, Canada 'Richard Wood writes ""Though we may think of ourselves as mostly intrepid explorers of our psyches, many of us continue to find a trip through our own interiors to be a very aversive and dangerous endeavor"" (p. 189). Yet in A Study of Malignant Narcissism: Personal and Professional Insights, he does just that, traveling into his fears, becoming an intrepid explorer of his psyche, and inviting the reader to do the same. Through deeply personal experiences, he explores the professional, academic, and political manifestations of malignant narcissism, calling this psychological disorder ""the most destructive form of human personality."" His multidetermined knowledge of malignant narcissism offers a comprehensive overview useful to both mental health professionals and society at large at this fragile time in our history.' - Ona Lindquist, Clio's Psyche"

Author Information

Richard Wood, PhD, is a psychoanalytically oriented clinical psychologist based in Ontario, Canada, with over 45 years of experience. He was educated at Cornell University and Wayne State University.

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